Background
Sri Lanka is on its way to a rapid development in tourism. The end of 3 decades long war conflict has resulted in a resurgent economy and the government of Sri Lanka is pursuing on aggressive investment drive ever seen in the country. In the backdrop of a widening trade deficit and weaning donor assistance the country has to attract foreign investment and tourism to meet its foreign currency requirement. Tourism promotion has thus come as a pillar in its economic strategy. On the other hand, investment is being made by corporate sector in the industry. These interventions are taking place on an individual basis. There are Associations of Hotel & Travel operators and other branches connected to Travel & Hospitality industry. But a Forum representing the tourism industry as a whole in Sri Lanka has been absent. Such a forum and a common platform has been a long felt need in the tourism industry in the country. The Chamber of Tourism & Industry Sri Lanka (CTISL) was launched to fill such vaccum in the country’s tourism industry.
CHAMBER OF TOURISM & INDUSTRY SRI LANKA (CTISL)
The Chamber of Tourism & Industry Sri Lanka (CTISL) was established in 2007 and subsequently came under membership of Federation of Chambers & Industry Sri Lanka (FCCISL) in 2012. The CTISL is the pioneer, unique and overreaching platform available for the tourism industry in the Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) recognized the need for and role which could be played by the Chamber of Tourism & Industry Sri Lanka (CTISL) in making tourism as a major source of livelihood and income generation in the country. Provincial Tourism Ministry at Eastern Provincial Council while recognizing the CTISL as a prominent partner in the tourism industry in the Eastern Province too is working together with Eastern Province Tourism Ministry giving special reference for development of tourism in the Eastern Province.
